Baseball is sitting at a home base right now with the 23-24 Ridgeview High baseball team starting off their way into the season with high hopes and workload to achieve individual and team goals. A bright future is in store with highly talented players and coaching staff, not only on the field but off the field as well leading to successful careers.
Emilio Anguiano, senior OF, plans on going into the season with a strong positive attitude and mindset to improve and steadily learn from past mistakes to help the team achieve the goal of going to Valley and more accomplishments. Anguino says, “My goal for this season is to win a valley and state championship and we have the team to do it. As a player I want to do my best to help the team get there.” Anguiano is a team player which is a great contribution to the team as far as progress into the season with a strong, unselfish mindset to push himself and the team to success. Anguino also mentions, “We all are there for each other when one of us makes a mistake, someone else is there to pick them up as we all know everyone plays an important role on the team no matter what it is.” The team functions together instead of it depending on one person leading and carrying the team which is great for future games because each individual will become smarter and stronger from the past mistakes. Everyone is held accountable for their actions as an individual for their role in the team, but they are not alone because each member is in each other’s corner to support and push each other to the next level to proceed onto the season to where they want to be.
Adam Salazar, Senior SS and P, plans on continuing to stay in the 661 area and proceed his baseball career with CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. Salazar announced his commitment to CSUB Febuarary 7th, 2024 starting off the new year celebrating and establishing his accomplishments to many more that’s coming his direction with a new change of pace. Salazar mentions, “Baseball has always been my first love and continuing to play the game for my city college is truly a blessing.” Having the opportunity to play at an advanced level, especially in the city Salazar grew up in, is an amazing accomplishment where people dream to be at in their career. Although this is a great milestone for Salazar, his job isn’t done just yet and still has to work through the 23-24 season along with his teammates to overcome obstacles in their path. “My mind is currently focused on finishing this season strong, trying to outwork the weaknesses and steadily perfecting my craft to contribute to the team as much as I can because every player is a key part of the team with what they bring to the table.” Everyone has something to bring onto the field with all the skills they showcase, and bringing those skill sets together can become greater than expected with how much work the Wolfpack distributes. There is always room for improvement, the more you practice and work on the skills one slacks is the exact mindset Salazar accommodates.
Robert Shayham, Assistant baseball coach, focuses on the drive to reach valley and state championships and knows what it will take to achieve that position they want to be in. Says, “We have a strong senior group, so our goal is to reach championships. We have won two tournament championships… We are expected to place a high in Division II… With baseball at the high school level our main focus is hitting outside pitches… Most high school hitters struggle with pitching, and this is true every single year we try to control the outside area.” Plans to focus on the weaknesses of today’s generations skill set and attack them on the weak points while also controlling the inside field as well which will lend to successful games. Having a plan like this will benefit the Wolfpack to go higher as they move along in the season against high competitors. Shayham knows exactly what it takes to win games and it’s most definitely not his first rodeo when it comes to game time on the baseball field. Shayham shares his story, “I started coaching Ridgeview at 19 years old in the year 2008, it is my 15th year coaching baseball… In the terms of day-to-day coaching, culture, and the boys I really just love being on the baseball field. I like the feeling of it, the vibe of it, being in the game. Strategy and coaching, It definitely draws all of my attention.” When having a coach like Shayham on the field, the connection between the players will definitely become stronger because of the passion both individuals share, and that connection will lead to the performance on the field.
Goals, hard work, and dedication is what’s driving this 23-24 Ridgeview baseball team to the greater good, putting them at an advantage starting the season right and finishing strong. A key factor that separates this team from others is that every player is pushing each other and themselves becoming better to execute the game plan on the field and dominate highly. With this type of mindset, the season will be in their favor to succeed and progress to where the team plans on heading, which is Valley and State championships and they can do just that, limiting the errors and applying what they have learned during the season overall.
